tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47091093086422473292024-03-21T21:21:01.340-07:00New Books!ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-30473385174614189042020-11-21T06:04:00.003-08:002020-11-21T06:04:39.156-08:00New Review - Old Book<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFn7RzgOudM1payJAG3E2OwuhueObep0f5RBhrv8uPO85P6SJoAOrBotvOz9oAAjx8X_PnOWlmVmJ85ipXNCQiWPbijo-LJ8FcgCUK2eUKw0iROry-w2uBbtXGt4pf6eHuMCRS-0xnVMUB/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="238" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFn7RzgOudM1payJAG3E2OwuhueObep0f5RBhrv8uPO85P6SJoAOrBotvOz9oAAjx8X_PnOWlmVmJ85ipXNCQiWPbijo-LJ8FcgCUK2eUKw0iROry-w2uBbtXGt4pf6eHuMCRS-0xnVMUB/" width="143" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Night in the Lonesome October<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>All is not what it seems.</p><p>In the murky London gloom, a knife-wielding gentleman named Jack prowls the midnight streets with his faithful watchdog Snuff - gathering together the grisly ingredients they will need for an upcoming ancient and unearthly rite. For soon after the death of the moon, black magic will summon the Elder Gods back into the world. And all manner of Players, both human and undead, are preparing to participate.</p><p>Some have come to open the gates. Some have come to slam them shut. And now the dread night approaches - so let the Game begin.</p><p>-----------</p><p>This book is wonderful. It is 31 chapters long - one for each day of October, and it is told in the form of a diary, detailing one team's activities in the contest between Openers and Closers. Characters include famous literary characters: the Great Detective, the Count, the Mad Monk, and the Good Doctor (with his shambling friend who smells of the grave). The illustrations by Gahan Wilson capture the delightfully irreverent yet macabre feel of this story. But the thing that makes this a truly unique story is the narrator - I can't think of a single other book told from the perspective of Jack the Ripper's watchdog.</p><p>Wait for a chilly night, wrap yourself up in a blanket, and give this one a read. This book is essentially out of print, but you can find reprintings of it on Amazon, and used copies all over the Internet. </p><p>Spoilers: <br />This is a parody of HP Lovecraft with a twist of Monster Mash. It is a bit gruesome in places, and has an illustration of one of the characters hanging from a noose. It's not really adults-only, since there's no smut, but younger (teen+) readers may miss out on the in-jokes about some of the characters. With a thorough adult pre-reading it may be appropriate for mature teens who love a good, gruesome story, and may bridge them into the classics: Dracula, Frankenstein, Holmes, and, of course, Lovecraft.</p>ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-59645622783084143762020-11-21T05:40:00.000-08:002020-11-21T05:40:18.053-08:00<p> I realize it's been years since I posted here. Since my last post I realized I was completely burned out at my last job, quit, took a break, and then found another job that I like even better that allows me more flexibility and is less stressful. I even added an adjunct teaching job for fun, and I love how my students keep me on my toes. It is wonderful to watch them make connections and see their skills improve. </p><p>There's also been COVID... That's been quite an adjustment, too. I've been working from home since March 2020, and I am getting mighty tired of seeing these same four walls every. single. day. I never thought I'd look forward to grocery shopping quite so much! I recognize how privileged I am to have a secure home, a job I love that I can do effectively and efficiently from home, and friends and family who are keeping themselves safe and reducing community spread. Zoom, Discord, and Doxy have helped save my sanity and allow me to stay connected to the people who are important to me.</p><p>But so has reading. So far in 2020, I have read over 500 books, short stories, and novellas. In my work, I serve people who are struggling with marginalization, discrimination, and stigma. I realized that my blog doesn't really reflect everything I read - there are few LGBT+ characters or persons of color depicted in the books I have reviewed, and that just isn't right. To be more honest in my reviews, I have decided to post reviews of what I'm actually reading, not just what I have beta-read or have been given in exchange for a review. To that end, I'll be reviewing some books that are <i>completely</i> inappropriate for children, but I will note that these are for 18+ readers. I will also note which ones have LGBTQ+ characters to help readers find what they like (or avoid what they dislike). </p><p>I can't promise any sort of reliable schedule for posting, but I have a list of at least 30 books and series that I want to write about. About half feature LGBTQ+ characters, some have a healthy amount of smut, and some will be reviewed as an entire series rather than book-by-book. In total, my "To review" list has 92 actual books, 8 novellas, 14 short stories. </p><p>Oh, and I never made it through the Wheel of Time. It was my third attempt, but I got bogged down in Crossroads of Twilight. Again. </p>ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-13336298773820627812017-11-21T19:38:00.003-08:002017-11-21T19:47:00.719-08:00Gentlemen Bastards - Book 1<br />
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<span 14px="" arial="" color:="" font-family:="" font-size:="" sans-serif="">An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.</span><br />
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This is an excellent book - definitely one of my top five for the year (and I've just finished my 97th book of 2017). The Gentlemen Bastards live up to their name and another reviewer referred to them as "flamboyantly larcenous." I can think of no better descriptor. Scott Lynch combines all the perfect ingredients for a heist story: sharp wit and sharper knives, devious intrigue, delightful humor, heartbreaking tragedy, incredible suspense, and unavoidable violence. And sharks. The setting is richly detailed, from the smells of the floating marketplace to the gleam of the elderglass towers, from the flavors of the temple kitchen to the rattle of chains on stone. There are several story lines in this one book, but they are so beautifully interwoven that it is easy to keep them straight. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.<br />
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I laughed before I finished the first page. I cried before I finished the last chapter. It's a bloody story in places and the author doesn't pull his punches (or kicks to the groin). There is lots of profanity but it never feels forced or out of place. There is reference to sex, but no graphic depictions. The story also includes references to slavery, alcohol, prostitution, blood sports, treason, and murder. Recommended for 17+<br />
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I bought this book for myself and received no kickbacks for my purchase.ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-59499053425408689682016-08-03T18:53:00.000-07:002016-08-03T18:53:17.434-07:00Master of Crows<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">What would you do to win your freedom? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">This is the question that sets bondwoman, Martise of Asher, on a dangerous path. In exchange for her freedom, she bargains with her masters, the mage-priests of Conclave, to spy on the renegade sorcerer, Silhara of Neith. The priests want Martise to expose the sorcerer's treachery and turn him over to Conclave justice. A risky endeavor, but one she accepts without hesitation--until she falls in love with her intended target. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows, is a desperate man. The god called Corruption invades his mind, seducing him with promises of limitless power if he will help it gain dominion over the world. Silhara struggles against Corruption's influence and searches for ways to destroy the god. When Conclave sends Martise as an apprentice to help him, he knows she's a spy. Now he fights a war on two fronts--against the god who would possess him and the apprentice who would betray him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">Mage and spy search together for a ritual that will annihilate Corruption, but in doing so, they discover secrets about each other that may damn them both. Silhara must decide if his fate, and the fate of nations, is worth the soul of the woman he has come to love, and Martise must choose continued enslavement or freedom at the cost of a man's life. And love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">Author: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Draven/e/B005E9VYRK/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" target="_blank">Grace Draven</a><br />
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Wow. Where to begin? This is one of my favorite books I have read in a long time; it has it all as far as I'm concerned. Both the story and the world build slowly over time, letting you really get to understand the characters and their drives and motivations. It builds to a slow burn and then smolders right along with you. Too often I find romance books are about broken people getting rescued by their one true love. Not so with Master of Crows. Martise and Silhara have synergy that is fascinating to watch, especially when they are in conflict. What really startled me is that the secondary characters are complete: Silhara's servant, the nomad clansmen, even the dog. Each is unique and has his or her own personality and way of interacting with the others. The story is complex and gorgeous. There is vengeance and blood. There is death and the undead, spells and black magic. But there is also love. There is laughter. There is humor and strength and gentleness. And at Neith, there are always oranges. <br />
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Spoilers:<br />There is sex in this book. Not just "cut to the next scene just after their lips meet and they sink softly into bed" sex, either. Wonderfully descriptive and steamy sex, but no so descriptive that it reads like an anatomy book. There are whores, and descriptions of degradation and humiliation of one <i>houri </i>in particular that may be disturbing to some. That being said, sex and intimacy are used for flavor and spice, not as the main goal of the story. It's a hot steamy romance, not erotica.<br />
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I bought this book all by myself and get nothing for this review.ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-9245971160985827932016-08-03T18:22:00.000-07:002016-08-03T18:22:45.247-07:00Whew!It sure has been a LONG time. I've been reading and working and moving and working and teaching and... It's been a busy year with not nearly as much time for reading as I'd like. The good news is that I've read some really amazing books - some real crap, too, but I won't bother you with those.<br />
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So anyway, on with the reviews!<br />
<br />ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-52918759867978162422015-03-19T18:52:00.003-07:002015-03-19T18:52:42.098-07:00The Moorigad Dragon & Reap Not the Dragon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saving a life shouldn't come with so many complications. -- </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saving Marcus’s life should have qualified as a good deed. Except, that’s not why Kyra saves him. She’s pulled to the deed by something supernatural. But then Marcus sees Kyra’s hybrid dragon and she finds herself bound to protect him. A bond already causing tension between Kyra and her best friend, Sebastian. Only, Kyra will find it is not easy defying Death. Yet, she is determined―even at the cost of her own life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bad things happen in the blink of an eye. -- </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sebastian has built his life around his tarot cards, more so since taking refuge at Mystic’s Magical Carnival. Trying to include Kyra in that part of his life goes all wrong. Now Kyra’s interest in Marcus stands between Sebastian and Kyra, and places Kyra in emanate danger. Sebastian needs to make her see, needs to steer her away from Marcus, needs to save her from the consequences of her decisions before it’s too late. If he needs to, Sebastian will bare his most guarded secrets to protect her...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Author: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Debra-Kristi/e/B00AGWXV2G/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">Debra Kristi</a></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was my first journey to the Dark Carnival and I was pleasantly surprised. The setting is gorgeously detailed yet leaves enough to the imagination that you can make it your own. The characters of Sebastian and Marcus come off the page and leave vibrant, strong impressions. Kyra is an interesting contradiction - a powerful dragon shapechanger, but completely compelled by a mysterious and supernatural force. An interesting read with a well-defined background and cast of characters, and the action never stops! A quick read and worth the time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's hard to talk about the second book without giving mega-spoilers, but it's worth reading. It may be even better than the first!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spoilers:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kyra is less detailed in the first book and the supernatural compulsion essentially brainwashes her. This causes her to acts in ways she might not if she had her free will, and that was uncomfortable for me in some scenes. There are (of course) elements of the supernatural and some mild horror elements, but nothing particularly gory or nightmarish.</span><br />
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I received a download of this book for my honest opinion.ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-56008587153834150522015-03-11T16:33:00.000-07:002015-03-11T16:35:08.459-07:00A Path In the Darkness - Sequel to Outsystem<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/path-in-the-darkness-tour-banner-2.jpg"><img alt="path in the darkness tour banner 2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7467" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/path-in-the-darkness-tour-banner-2.jpg" height="350" width="550" /></a>
<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Path-Ebook.png"></a>The colony ship Intrepid is falling into a star.
The ship’s AI has lost control of the engines and core systems. Battling a saboteur who strives to isolate him, his last act is to wake Colonel Tanis Richards from stasis.
Tanis finds herself alone on a dying ship, unable to contact the AI. She must discover what has happened and save the Intrepid from burning up in the star’s angry red light.
Even if she is successful, the journey to the colony world of New Eden is just beginning. With decades of travel ahead, she will have to find a path in the darkness.
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Buy on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Path-Darkness-Aeon-14-Book-ebook/dp/B00R53GJVO" target="_blank">Amazon </a></h3>
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Put Path in the Darkness on your TBR list <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24620947-a-path-in-the-darkness" target="_blank">here</a></h5>
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About the author:</h4>
Michael Cooper has been writing since the day he closed Return of the King and wanted more. He's written a lot of fantasy that he never tried to get published, but one day decided to try his hand at science fiction, of which he has published one book (Outsystem) and is working on the sequel, A Path in the Darkness.
Michael is a software engineer at a company which builds sites and services around the open-source CMS named Drupal and enjoys the creativity involved in building web applications.
When not writing stories or code Michael is spending time with his wife and daughter, or doing carpentry--a hobby which he has been growing over the years.
His other interests include astronomy, cars and racing, blacksmithing, movies, and just about any creative work one can do.
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Follow M.D. Cooper:</h3>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/theintrepidsaga" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="http://www.michaeldcooper.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/M.-D.-Cooper/e/B008I6L0Q6/" target="_blank">Amazon</a></h3>
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ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-20751803518322238812015-02-08T17:42:00.001-08:002015-02-08T17:42:26.952-08:00Riding For Redemption<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Desperate to find her place in the world, Sara Beth dreams of applying for the Miss Wrangler Montana competition that tours with the rodeo circuit.
Riding horses has become her anchor until a near fatal accident takes more from her than she’d ever willingly sacrifice.<br />
Determined to prove his business training, Johnny seeks out the Rourke family to call in an old favor. When he embroils himself in Sara Beth’s life, he has to prove they’re nothing more than friends.
Seeking independence, both Sara Beth and Johnny lean on each other more and more, until love threatens their friendship. Will they seek out each other or be confused by their dreams?
Can either of them leave their past and embrace their future?<br />
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Author: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-R.-Paulson/e/B005DQZLL4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">Bonnie R. Paulson</a><br />
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This is an interesting, quick read. It explores themes of healing, friendship, recovery from tragedy, and growing wiser. I love that the romance is founded on friendship and not on superficial things like appearance or money or being rescued (although those certainly play a part). Sara Beth is a strong character on her own and watching her grow and develop is a pleasure. The author uses dry wit and a subtle sense of humor to excellent effect in this story. <br />
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Spoilers:<br />
This is the second book in the series and I was a little worried because I had not read the first one. It was not a problem, though. I understood everything that was going on. I did go back and read the first book in the series, "Romancing Redemption" and some of the story made more sense, but I was fine without having read it first. That being said, the book is part of a series, and those seeking closure to the story will be wonderfully disappointed. There is a little profanity scattered throughout the book, but no smut.<br />
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I received a download of this book for my honest opinion.ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-19840120512453161112015-02-04T17:47:00.001-08:002015-02-04T17:47:50.526-08:00Outsystem<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Outsystem-Aeon-14-M-Cooper-ebook/dp/B008GZ8HEM" target="_blank">Outsystem</a></td></tr>
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Major Richards needs to get out of the Sol System
Demoted by the military and hung out to dry, the media labels her the Butcher of Toro. Despite her soiled record, Tanis still one of the best military counter-insurgency officers in the Terran Space Force.
And they need her to find the terrorists responsible for trying to destroy the GSS Intrepid, a massive interstellar colony ship in the final phases of construction at the Mars Outer Shipyards.
It’ll be her ticket out of the Sol system, but Tanis discovers she is up against more than mercenaries and assassins. Major corporations and governments have a vested interest in ensuring the Intrepid never leaves Sol, ultimately pitting Tanis against factions inside her own military.
With few friends left, Tanis will need to fight for her life to get outsystem.<br />
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Author: <span style="font-weight: normal;">M.D. Cooper</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theintrepidsaga" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="http://www.michaeldcooper.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/M.-D.-Cooper/e/B008I6L0Q6/" target="_blank">Amazon</a></h4>
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I really enjoyed this book! The combination of sci-fi that is thoroughly grounded in science and politics that are equally well grounded in reality was refreshing and kept my attention. Major Tanis Richards is a strong, intelligent, and charismatic woman who has a good sense of humor, and is able to navigate the treacherous grounds of military hierarchy and politics very well. The story kept me reading long after I should have gone to bed, and absorbed my lunch breaks until I finally finished the book. I highly recommend this book to fans of the David Weber's <i>Honor Harrington Series</i>, and Elizabeth Bear's <i>Jenny Casey Trilogy</i>. <br />
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Spoilers:<br />
As if the banner above doesn't give it away... There's a sequel! But the good news is that it's available now. Some readers have said they had trouble understanding when the Tanis' artificial intelligence implant was "speaking" and when it was actually Tanis' internal monologue, but I think that's kind of the point. The blurring of the real and the virtual is crucial to the setting and the way people interact with their environment. </div>
ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-49328696595924477132015-01-28T19:41:00.001-08:002015-01-28T19:41:27.348-08:00Whiskey Witches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Detective Paige Whiskey comes from a long line of witches. They may not all be the most powerful, but they are outspoken and supportive of their community. She alone has no gifts. She can’t summon fire, can’t read minds. She knows the arcane. She’s studied it. That, along with her connection to the Whiskey Witches, lands her some pretty strange cases.<br />
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Like the sacrificial murders of St. Francisville, Louisiana. There’s a killer on the loose, choosing people in a vain attempt to raise a demon. Not just any demon, though. A man born long ago, made a demon in order to protect the Gate to Hell.<br />
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Together with demon hunter, Dexx Colt, her kitchen-witch grandmother, and her paranormal investigator brother-in-law, they unravel a conspiracy far bigger than a few simple murders, and re-discover Paige’s gift.<br />
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She’s a demon summoner and she’s key to the killer’s plan.
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5240001678467px; line-height: 1.5;">Author: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SM-Blooding/e/B0071QGWIU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1422502155&sr=1-1" target="_blank">SM Blooding</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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This was a well-written book that kept my attention from the first couple pages onward. The plot and premise are fascinating and present a new take on the whole concept of angels and demons. Paige Whiskey is a realistic character who, despite her powers still has good days and bad days, comes up with brilliant plans yet still makes bad decisions, and is wholly, entirely human. The cast of supporting characters is equally well-imagined and described and they breathe extra life into the story. I highly recommend this series.</span></span><div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5240001678467px; line-height: 20.2859992980957px;">If you are offended by a presentation of Christianity that is at all different than what is taught in most churches, this book is probably not for you since t</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5240001678467px; line-height: 1.5;">his story blurs the line between guardian angels and predatory demons so that it is hard to tell who is who. Profanity abounds in this book, but it is not used for the sake of being "edgy" or "hip," the words are sincerely meant in context. There is talk of sex, but no intimate sexual content or descriptions. This story does not end with the book, and I am intrigued to see what the sequel will bring. It's definitely on my "to buy" list! </span></span><div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5240001678467px; line-height: 1.5;"> I received a download of this book for my honest opinion.</span></span></span></span></div>
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ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-27305308469691013982015-01-14T17:12:00.001-08:002015-01-14T17:12:15.067-08:00A Date To Die For (Series)<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Date-Die-Why-Me-ebook/dp/B00EM413YW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421283933&sr=8-1&keywords=a+date+to+die+for" target="_blank">A Date To Die For</a></td></tr>
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When dating ends in deaths and threats, Molly might be better off
staying single. During one of Molly’s weekly meet-ups with her girls at their
regular bar, Molly succumbs to the duress of her two best friends and begins
the aggressive dating they sign her up for online where the pairings are
questionable… and dangerous. They’ve entered her in an evening of speed dating.
But at the end of the evening she finds an item from her past that raises
questions, grief… and danger.</div>
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When the number of deaths surpass Molly’s goodnight kisses, her past pushes into the
present and Molly loses much more than she gains. A stalker has focused on
Molly and refuses to let anyone else date her. But she refuses to be single for
the rest of her life.<o:p></o:p></div>
Is
Molly doomed to a life of singledom wrapped in fear – or will the stalker turn
on her?<o:p></o:p>
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By <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-R.-Paulson/e/B00JO6LMZS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" target="_blank">Bonnie R. Paulson</a><br />
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If you enjoy daytime television and fast-paced, snarky writing,
this is the one for you! Molly and her
friends are funny, devoted to one another, and just that perfect little bit
catty. The action takes place over the
course of seven very short novellas and can be read one at a time or devoured
in one sitting - just like your favorite TV show. I have
to admit, when I first read the tag line for this book, I was not terribly
excited. It looked like all those shows
on TV that are more about shoes and clothes and women re-enacting their mean
girl days from high school than anything else.
But there is more to this story than a desperate woman trying to get married
before she reaches the unthinkable age of twenty six. There are elements right out of classic film
noir, traditional whodunnits, and those wonderfully mushy romances (you know
the ones), as Molly tries to solve the mystery that surrounds the death of her
sister.<br />
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Spoilers:<br />Not a lot to say here. There
is sex, murder, stalking, and open dialogue about various shades of kink. Definitely for mature readers.<br />
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ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-89207410161358389032014-12-04T18:19:00.000-08:002014-12-07T09:52:21.892-08:00To Love a Cyborg<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Cyborg-Science-Fiction-Novel-ebook/dp/B00MV2WPHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417745788&sr=8-1&keywords=to+love+a+cyborg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="To love a cyborg2" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/To-love-a-cyborg2-200x300.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Cyborg-Science-Fiction-Novel-ebook/dp/B00MV2WPHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417745788&sr=8-1&keywords=to+love+a+cyborg" target="_blank">To Love a Cyborg</a></td></tr>
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Genetics, Corruption, Romance,
and passion.</div>
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It is 2065. No-one knows the true identity of Detective Chief Superintendent Ben Tobin or where he came from. His world turns into a nightmare with a spate
of shocking homicides and abductions. Never encountering such evil before, Ben suspects they are ritual killings carried out by more than one killer. Determined to solve the sinister notes left with the bodies, he turns to American psychologist Lucy Roberts. She informs him genetic research could be involved. Working together they begin a passionate affair that turns into a nightmare. Can Lucy resolve her fears? Can she accept Ben?
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The clock is ticking, as the crimes take them across the world, and out to the Asteroid Belt.
As Ben races to save the victims, Lucy disappears.<br />
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Author: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Katy%20Walters&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">Katy Walters</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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This book has a fascinating premise and has well-imagined characters. It is fast paced and the mystery aspects of it are well described and detailed. It's not a standard "whodunnit," but there is still a degree of guesswork and suspense. The setting is a little hard to wrap one's head around, as the reader is dropped into a futuristic world with absolutely no preamble or descriptive build up. Once you get past the setting, it is a quick read and has some interesting plot twists. I am a little at a loss as to how to discuss this book without posting spoilers; suffice it to say that this book should come with a trigger warning.<br />
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Spoilers: There is a lot of implied rape in this book. Most of the scenes involve adults, but there is a scene where the detective saves children from a pedophile ring before they can be abused. While very little is described other than sounds that are overheard, there is no doubt of what is happening in these scenes. There are also many scenes with snakes, so if you are an ophidiophobe, you might want to give this one a pass.<br />
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I received a download of this book for my honest opinion.
ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-17844412532762519882014-05-02T15:34:00.000-07:002014-05-04T21:04:45.177-07:00Time of Their Lives <br />
The simple tale of what happens when a super hero and super villain meet by chance after years of retirement... The original story was published in May 2004 by Top Cow Productions, and is written by Troy Hickman<br />
<br />
<a href="http://seananmcguire.tumblr.com/post/84545084905/geardrops-oldearthaccretionist">http://seananmcguire.tumblr.com/post/84545084905/geardrops-oldearthaccretionist</a><br />
<br />
I know I usually review books, with the occasional graphic novel, and one short story, but it still seems odd to now include a link to a comic that has been reblogged on tumblr. This one is a short comic - only nine pages - but the story it tells is so perfect, so moving, so incredibly powerful, that I have to include it. I can't say anything more about it without telling the tale, so I'll let the author take it from here.<br />
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Spoilers:<br />
Nothing, really. No swears. No sex. No drugs. Just the amazing complexities of human interaction. ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-54676362166076582872014-02-28T20:56:00.000-08:002014-02-28T22:06:14.502-08:00Spartanica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spartanica-Survivors-Sapertys-Powers-Molinar-ebook/dp/B00G9ZVD4W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393647666&sr=8-1&keywords=spartanica" target="_blank">Spartanica</a></td></tr>
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Ty and Marcus Mitchell are average middle school brothers growing up in a suburb north of Chicago until one night when they’re hurtled through an inter-dimensional gateway to a parallel world defined by its multiple moons and planet-wide apocalypse. As they struggle to figure out where they are and how to get home, the boys encounter refugees of “the last day” from the distant city of Atlantis and a mysterious girl called Bellana, the sole survivor and resident of the devastated metropolis of Spartanica. Ty and Marcus soon learn they only have seven days to get home. But before they can leave, they must battle through long-extinct deadly predators, find the elusive Professor Otherblood (if he’s still alive), and rescue a new friend from certain death. Is all of this insanity just Ty’s overactive imagination or are the brothers truly on the brink of being stranded in the brutal wasteland known as Spartanica?<br />
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Author: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Powers-Molinar/e/B00GALXQFO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">Powers Molinar</a><br />
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This was a fun young adult science fiction book. The characters of Ty, Marcus, and Bellana are enjoyable to read about, their adventures are fascinating, and the world is vast and complex. I am looking forward to reading more from this author - especially since <i>Spartanica </i>is the first book in <i>The Survivors of Sapertys</i> series. This is not a book you can just power through and read quickly - although it's hard to go slowly! The storyteller's point of view changes among the three main characters, and the world is described and defined through their unique perspectives, so this requires a bit more focus than usual. The language and measurements of Spartanica were difficult to grasp at first since the contextual cues are initially vague - I could tell that one was a measurement of time, but not whether it was an hour or a century. This is defined for the reader as Ty and Marcus figure it out, but was a little frustrating at first. Place your trust in the writer - the ride is worth it!<br />
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Spoilers: Ty and Marcus are very much alike in terms of their narrative style and I found it quite difficult to tell from whose point of view the story was being told unless the speaker was complaining about his brother. Which they both do. At great length. As I mentioned above, the contextual cues as to the meaning of Spartanican words are vague and are defined only after they have been used for several chapters. This made reading quite frustrating for me and broke the willing suspension of disbelief - reminding me that I was reading rather than allowing me to stay lost in the story. This book has a cliffhanger ending, so if this frustrates you, wait until the series is complete - the second book is still being written. <br />
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I received a download of this book for my honest opinion.ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-37819049559683410822014-01-23T19:08:00.000-08:002014-01-23T19:10:33.299-08:00The Golem and the Jinni<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Golem-Jinni-P-S-Helene-Wecker-ebook/dp/B008QXVDJ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390531217&sr=1-1&keywords=the+golem+and+the+jinni" target="_blank"><img src="http://d188rgcu4zozwl.cloudfront.net/content/B008QXVDJ0/images/cover.jpg" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Golem-Jinni-P-S-Helene-Wecker-ebook/dp/B008QXVDJ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390531217&sr=1-1&keywords=the+golem+and+the+jinni" target="_blank">The Golem and the Jinni</a></td></tr>
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In <i>The Golem and the Jinni</i>, a chance meeting between mythical beings takes readers on a dazzling journey through cultures in turn-of-the-century New York.<br />
<br />
Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life to by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic and dies at sea on the voyage from Poland. Chava is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York harbor in 1899.<br />
<br />
Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire born in the ancient Syrian desert, trapped in an old copper flask, and released in New York City, though still not entirely free<br />
<br />
Ahmad and Chava become unlikely friends who share a mystical connection. Marvelous and compulsively readable, Helene Wecker's debut novel <i>The Golem and the Jinni</i> weaves strands of Yiddish and Middle Eastern literature, historical fiction and magical fable into a wondrously inventive and unforgettable tale.<br />
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Helene Wecker's gorgeous writing, careful research, and clear passion for folklore and literature make this an enchanting, intriguing read. She does a wonderful job of presenting supernatural creatures of folklore as main characters without making anyone into an idealized character. Everyone in the story is refreshingly human, with merits, faults, worries, and humor. The backdrop of turn-of-the-century Manhattan is beautifully rendered, and even those unfamiliar with the setting will not be lost. The author embraces many cultures and sources of folklore and folds them together in a way that is both honest and refreshing. This book is reminiscent of the tales of Isaac Bashevis Singer and Scheherazade, with a twist of Jane Addams thrown in for good measure. An absolute "must read." <br />
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Spoilers: This reads at times like a young adult book, but the ghastly conditions of New York City tenement houses in 1899 are described in some detail. There are scenes of married and premarital sex, prostitution, murder, death from wasting illness, and use of both alcohol and drugs. It also deals with concepts of faith, religion, apostasy, reincarnation, and eternal damnation - although not in a preachy way. ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-80787731756144499992014-01-19T17:04:00.000-08:002014-01-19T17:15:25.486-08:00Scattered Links - Release Day Tour<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/2013/12/scattered-links-by-michelle-weidenbenner/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4421" title="ScatteredLinkstourbanner" src="https://gm1.ggpht.com/J_HZpyGHGDVL_lMGwVA76PHC1H1I5duCCJnFGv1fXQRc6cpTnsdBj5eWHWaLasy_z5Le_IzSsKgUpaF7hrGSnW9kTHEgHK6f9xumTImpsFtmJxs1IE0NY4W2guOjWxmodQMNHB73J2p1BAcEVlFoQd9lO_SdtweHfpYPoXxuVzJOrNUG6lGXsyKLHKGJubFdZsm4wX6BTssGA6G71yiGUf8Q80ecaBnC0F4V-iMsMFkqYr0W-b2Ggl6ipG8IsmoCWaFjvN1n_EdwFWsmGF--fqJXTa3SwwUbxekVi-G4hMAMHMnFlxgUKTmu3CsPZQX2yTKQT71VXWk0npBpsTz6ypPHbJxLXKyJOidUrrzc6l_yAR4o9IaE7oAhWvZUY6SZZ_A9kHL_TQmjQEg6-eHtQzjGueSCX6ZwlBjO_-hyrYv6Zacy1ZdQEBsSqRp6oCjQyjoo2Us7IEiFY2VtP18R2eTHyX4Yxp3sMWIkWzKBc8f1eEz0DWGUo3grWkT8tzAyzCFW1DJrhwKRjuzk4sZ1vOlLGODutymDwGM=w1568-h782-l75" alt="" width="500" height="350" /a></a>
</a><em><strong>Release Day Tour: </strong></em>
<strong><em>Scattered Links</em> is a novel that pulls its characters from the gutters and, in the end, celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit. </strong>
Thirteen-year-old Oksana lives on the streets of Russia with her pregnant mama and abusive aunt—both prostitutes. When Mama swells into labor, Oksana makes a decision to save herself from abandonment, a decision that torments her forever. When her plan fails and her aunt dumps her in an orphanage, she never has the chance to say goodbye to her mama or tell her the secret that haunts her.
<em>Scattered Links</em> is a story of family and the consequences that come from never learning how to love, of a girl’s inability to bond with her adopted family and the frustrations that follow.
How can a child understand the mechanics of forming a healthy relationship when she never had a mother who answered her cries, held her when she was frightened, fed her when she was hungry, or loved her unconditionally?
Only when the child meets a rescued abused horse, and recognizes the pain in his eyes, does she begin to trust again.
<p style="text-align: center;">***************************************</p>
Scattered Links, (initially titled <em>Love is Just a Word</em>), was the winner of the 2013 Aspiring Writers Competition, sponsored by Write on Con and The Reading Room. Scattered Links was intended to show a glimpse into the life of a child with RAD, reactive attachment disorder, so prevalent in children who never had unconditional love in infancy.
This novel was inspired by Michelle’s journey to Russia to adopt her orphan daughter. Upon seeing the neglect of orphanage children and learning of the effects of RAD in post-institutionalized children, Michelle researched this disorder, committed to giving her daughter the best chance at a healthy life. Sadly, many parents can’t cope with the behavior from kids with RAD and re-home their children like pets.
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Buy on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scattered-Links-Michelle-Weidenbenner-ebook/dp/B00HP3X6R4/" target="_blank">Kindle</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scattered-Links-M-Weidenbenner/dp/1494366959" target="_blank">Paperback </a></h3>
<h3><strong>About the author: </strong></h3>
<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/michelle.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-4277" title="michelle" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/michelle.jpg" alt="" width="288" height="192" /></a>Michelle grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting—without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which might come in handy with book reviews.
Michelle blogs at Random Writing Rants where she teaches and encourages writers how to get published.
<h3><strong>Follow Michelle: </strong></h3>
Blog link: <a href="http://www.randomwritingrants.com" target="_blank">http://www.randomwritingrants.com</a>
<em>Random Writing Rants</em>
<em>Teaching adults and teens how to get published</em>
Website link: <a href="http://www.mweidenbenner.com" target="_blank">http://www.mweidenbenner.com</a>
Facebook link: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/randomwritingrants" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/randomwritingrants</a>
Twitter link: <a href="http://twitter.com/MWeidenbenner1" target="_blank">@MWeidenbenner1</a>
Goodreads link: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7171873.M_Weidenbenner" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7171873.M_Weidenbenner</a>
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<!-- end LinkyTools script -->ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-1783893304944596712013-08-04T11:12:00.001-07:002013-08-04T11:13:45.013-07:00Found<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_83/" target="_blank"><img src="http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/covers/cw_83_350.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><a href="http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_83/" target="_blank">Clarkesworld Magazine, ISSUE 83, August 2013.</a></span></td></tr>
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"Found" is a gorgeous short story by Alex Dally MacFarlane, published in Clarkesworld Magazine, ISSUE 83, August 2013. You may find it online here:<br />
<a href="http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/macfarlane_08_13/">http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/macfarlane_08_13/</a><br />
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The setting for this story is haunting and beautiful: A cluster of colonies on a string of asteroids, abandoned and forgotten by their homeworld. A short story about belonging, memory, and identity told by a spice trader who goes from colony to colony bringing the one commodity they cannot make for themselves: flavor. Beautiful language, vivid imagery, and poignant undertones. Not much can be said of this gem without giving away the story, so suffice it to say that it is worth the fifteen minutes it will take to read it, and the twenty minutes it will take to re-read it while savoring every nuance, treasuring every smell, and relishing the flavors in the writing. <br />
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About the Author (source: ibid)<br />
Alex Dally MacFarlane lives in London, where she is pursuing an MA in Ancient History. When not researching narrative transmission in the Alexander Romance traditions, she writes stories, found in The Other Half of the Sky, Heiresses of Russ 2013: The Year's Best Lesbian Speculative Fiction, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Shimmer and Zombies: Shambling Through the Ages. Poetry can be found in Stone Telling, The Moment of Change and Here, We Cross. She is the editor of Aliens: Recent Encounters (2013) and The Mammoth Book of SF Stories by Women (forthcoming in late 2014)<br />
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<br />ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-73070118931137510612013-07-28T09:13:00.000-07:002013-07-28T09:14:34.124-07:00Apocalypse Cult - Review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img 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" 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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WTAWEE/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img" target="_blank">Apocalypse Cult</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
APOCALYPSE CULT is the first book in the Gray Spear Society series. They are God's secret warriors, His henchmen, His assassins cloaked in shadows. When lives and souls are at risk, He sends the Gray Spear Society to save mankind. This time the enemy is the Church of One Soul, a cult that intends to kill thousands of unsuspecting tourists in Chicago. But this is merely the first step in plunging the world into a devastating war. The Society has only a few days to destroy their elusive foe, despite interference by overzealous federal agents.<br />
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Aaron Glade is a PI who is hired to rescue a fifteen year-old girl from a cult. The job turns out to be less than straight forward, and Aaron's life will never be the same when he is asked to join the Gray Spear Society - a group of God's secret warriors... Overall, this is a decent story: well-written, well-conceived, and well-executed. There is a lot of blood and death - a little too much for my taste, but still a good read. The genre for this book is difficult to categorize. There are elements of film noir, spy vs. spy, and supernatural combat - all played out by holy warriors who follow the Christian god. The main characters are described well, and each is unique. The rapid-fire pace of the action is a little dizzying and makes the reader slow down to savor the story.<br />
<br />
Spoilers: <br />
The drawback to this story for me was the inconsistency that as "agents of God," the characters demonstrate no empathy, bear no responsibility, and experience no repercussions for killing, maiming, or torturing. It was also hard for me to reconcile the need for secrecy with the killing of government, civil service, and law enforcement personnel.<br />
<br />ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-91056225351261186232013-05-19T04:50:00.001-07:002013-05-19T04:50:11.220-07:00I'm going in!<img height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkswVK5osqlhIZqtNv7_bMaQZrlZuY0SaTe31PeAHhueswv6dvUhaeBnNiysH857-PxGpS5xO2jokNlAyGZLThCE0t9_paIFZr_tjGFKccZV1O6you5mosZBEpDC3PPDhhzNR4aVqmag/s320/wheeloftime.jpg" width="320" /><br />
The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.<br />
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Written by Robert Jordan and completed posthumously by Brandon Sanderson, The Wheel of Time is one of the greatest epics of fantasy and a #1 internationally bestselling series. Taking place both in our past and our future, the saga tells the story of a man destined to face the Evil One and save the world—or destroy it in the process. <br />
- Goodreads <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/series/41526-wheel-of-time">http://www.goodreads.com/series/41526-wheel-of-time</a><br />
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I started reading this series when the first book was published in 1990. It was supposed to be a 6-book series, but has since grown to 11,962 pages spanning 14 books. This does not count the prequels, supplemental chapters, or short stories that accompany the main series. I made it through "Crossroads of Twilight" (book 10), reading them as they came out, but it became very difficult to keep track of the characters, locations, motivations, and sub-sub-sub plots that became major turning points two books later. My plan is to re-read the series in order, back-to-back now that it is complete. I'm hoping that reading them one after another will be easier than waiting a year or more between books. <br /><br />The story is complex, the world - including its magic and political systems - is very well developed, and the characters are plentiful (Book 10 has 522 named characters, 22 of whom are point-of-view characters). I enjoyed the first ten books and am curious to see not only how the story goes and what happens to my favorite (and least favorite) characters, but also how Brandon Sanderson's writing matches up with Robert Jordan's. ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-48094249263630874082013-05-18T03:29:00.000-07:002013-05-18T03:29:25.904-07:00Banished From Grace<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxWqF1o4CHP9ch4avJOGKUAC4Us_ffl5jiY5Lxs6lZOy5aPm2FIzjIotV4ZJkpyvH6vavO7er5TmKMyZvsAiLuV-UNJpjvbaGF3yNyGXv4CzT7ENfMKjITtrVLMnNv3fxUwOqOFudK58/s1600/Banished+from+Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxWqF1o4CHP9ch4avJOGKUAC4Us_ffl5jiY5Lxs6lZOy5aPm2FIzjIotV4ZJkpyvH6vavO7er5TmKMyZvsAiLuV-UNJpjvbaGF3yNyGXv4CzT7ENfMKjITtrVLMnNv3fxUwOqOFudK58/s320/Banished+from+Grace.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style=" white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Nardia is a very special nurse, one with a unique gift. With the touch of her bare hands, she can heal any physical ailment. With the help of her angel guide, Benilde, Nardia has healed her way through countless centuries.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Life should be easy for this attractive (not to mention, immortal) woman, but throw in two handsome men, a coffee addiction and memory loss that dates back to the medieval ages, and you’ve got a life that’s more than complicated.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">When she meets AJ at her favorite coffee shop, she can’t help but feel an immediate attraction to him. At the same time, she knows there’s more to his story than what he’s letting on. And then there’s the handsome Doctor Regan, who she feels a connection with, but is she trying to make it more than is really there in order to spare her the heartbreak of being with AJ?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Only adding to her problems is the new resident, Dr. Jeffries, who seems out to get her from day one, and a murder case she can’t help solve without revealing her own secrets.</span><span lang="EN-US" style=" color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Can Nardia uncover the secrets of her own past while still moving forward and saving those in need of her help in the present?</span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Author links:</span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
</span><br /><div><span lang="EN-AU">http://www.facebook.com/aria.williams.79<o:p></o:p></span></div><div><span lang="EN-AU">Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aria-williams/100705483442018">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aria-williams/100705483442018</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div><span lang="EN-AU">Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Ariawil">https://twitter.com/Ariawil</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div><span lang="EN-AU">Blog <a href="http://arialwilliams.wordpress.com/">http://arialwilliams.wordpress.com/</a><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-90374140813091816132013-03-02T20:42:00.001-08:002013-03-02T20:42:46.537-08:00Food for a Hungry Ghost<div>
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<a href="http://www.hungryghostbooks.com/buyit.php" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Life was pleasantly normal for Gala..." height="200" src="http://www.hungryghostbooks.com/images/bp-hg277x388.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.hungryghostbooks.com/buyit.php" target="_blank">Food for a Hungry Ghost</a></div>
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Life was pleasantly normal for Gala Rhyce, that is, until her mom moved the family to Flagler Beach, Florida. Now despite the palm trees, ocean breezes, and cute surfer guys, Gala is miserable until she meets Trista. <br />
Trista makes a great friend, except there's a snag: she's a ghost. The girls learn to communicate, and through Gala, Trista finds a way to experience the world again.</div>
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Even as Gala’s romance with a heart throb poet begins to bloom, she enjoys her unlikely friendship with Trista—that is until the ghost wants more than Gala can give and things go horribly wrong. Filled with humor, romance, and horror, Food for a Hungry Ghost is about friendship, jealousy, and boundaries that get pushed too far. How much can Gala endure?<br />
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Author: <a href="http://www.hungryghostbooks.com/meet-author.php" target="_blank">Becky M. Pourchot</a><br />
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"Food for a Hungry Ghost" is a quick, enjoyable read. At around 70 pages, it's a great book for teens who like the paranormal but are "not into books." The author does a great job of capturing the angst and frustration of a teenage girl who has been uprooted from her school and friends to move all the way across the country - but she does this without getting bogged down in it. It is a masterful blend of realism and the paranormal, complete with humor, embarrassment, an irritating little brother, a flaky new-age mom, and young love. A great read for a car trip or a short flight. I am looking forward to reading more by this author!<br />
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Spoilers: While there are "love scenes" in the story, it is nothing more than closed-mouth kissing and a touch on the knee. The horror scenes are present, but again, the author strikes an excellent balance between telling a story and providing gratuitous detail. There are hints of suicide in this story, but nothing gruesome and nothing that could be construed as instructional. This is a good, quick read that leaves the door wide open for a sequel! </div>
ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-2392448253081634042013-02-26T16:24:00.001-08:002013-02-26T16:24:43.857-08:00Review of The Chronicles of Trellah<br />
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The Chronicles of Trellah, Book One: The Perpetual Rain</h3>
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Fourteen-year-old Sophina Murray will be the first to tell you: Bad luck comes in threes. First, her father is lost at sea. Then, the rains start . And don't stop. And finally, her little brother is taken from his bed by a monster straight from her worst nightmare. A glimpse into the parallel universe of Trellah - a land of giant trees, bizarre creatures, and a glowing red mineral with mystical properties - convinces Sophina that all may not be lost. But first, she'll have to survive in a hostile world where her darkest fears live and breathe.<br />
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Author: <a href="http://tsgraham.com/" target="_blank">T.S. Graham</a><br />
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This book has engaging characters and a plot that has not already been written a million times. Sophina is a realistically-written fourteen year old girl. She does not have super powers, she is not the prettiest girl in school (or the ugly duckling), and she doesn't have all the answers. What she does have is a good heart, the willingness to do the right thing, and the integrity to stand up for what she believes. The writer does a magnificent job of capturing the characters' feelings and showing the reader the worlds in which the story takes place. This is a well-written and surprisingly deep story that is absolutely worth reading. <br />
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Spoliers - You read that right. Worlds. Plural. Sophina winds up getting more than a glimpse of Trellah! This book is appropriate for 12+. There is some limited violence, some interaction with the dead and undead, but nothing over the top, and nothing nightmare-inducing. Highly recommended. ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-53540664239763313932013-02-13T13:45:00.001-08:002013-02-13T13:45:47.750-08:00
<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Chroniclesbanner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2072" title="Chroniclesbanner" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Chroniclesbanner.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="200" /></a>
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The Chronicles of Trellah, Book One: The Perpetual Rain</a></h3>
"The World's Toughest Book Critics" have weighed in, and it's high praise for Trellah!
"An excellent choice for readers eager for a suspenseful, emotionally satisfying fantasy adventure."
-Kirkus Book Reviews
Fourteen-year-old Sophina Murray will be the first to tell you: Bad luck comes in threes. First, her father is lost at sea. Then, the rains start . And don't stop. And finally, her little brother
is taken from his bed by a monster straight from her worst nightmare. A glimpse into the parallel universe of Trellah - a land of giant trees, bizarre creatures, and a glowing red mineral with mystical properties - convinces Sophina that all may not be lost. But first, she'll have to survive in a hostile world where her darkest fears live and breathe.
Trellah is an original and realistic fantasy for ages 12 to 112. Parental guidance suggested for advanced readers ages 10-11 for moderate elements of horror.
The upcoming deluxe edition of this book will include illustrated paintings by artist Ryan Penney. Below is a sample of this talented artist's work.
<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/TheChroniclesOfTrellah.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1984" title="TheChroniclesOfTrellah" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/TheChroniclesOfTrellah.jpg" alt="" width="230" height="300" /></a>
<strong>Purchase this book on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JBBS54/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ereadingonthecheap-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007JBBS54" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. </strong>
<h3>About Author T.S. Graham</h3>
T.S. Graham was born and raised in midcoast Maine. He has worked as a sea urchin diver, fish monger, home renovator, and in several group homes for children and adults with disabilities. His original screenplay, Stone's Point, written as Clint Elliott, has won multiple awards. He studied English Literature at the University of Southern Maine, where, despite developing a strong dislike of the traditional curriculum focused on old, dead (and boring) scribes, he somehow managed to graduate with honors. His greatest influences are writers like Stephen King and Michael Crichton, whose talents would have allowed them to write more literary fare, but they chose to thrill and entertain instead. He now lives on a horse farm with his beautiful wife and five daughters, two poodles, two cats, two happy turtles, four playful ferrets, three fish, a corn snake named "Tiger," dozens of chickens, and, of course, four awesome equines. The Chronicles of Trellah, Book One: The Perpetual Rain is his debut novel.
<strong>Follow T.S. Graham</strong>
<a title="TS Graham Author" href="http://tsgraham.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a title="The Chronicles of Trellah Facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/thechroniclesoftrellah" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a title="Goodreads" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4967199.T_S_Graham" target="_blank">GoodReads</a>
The author is giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card. This tour will begin February 14th.
<a id="rc-9b80e9372" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9b80e9372/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<!-- end LinkyTools script -->ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-60982217625108455472013-01-21T07:05:00.001-08:002013-01-21T07:05:50.035-08:00Bring Down The Furies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bring-Down-Furies-Parker-Francis/dp/0983433631/ref=la_B00A7R3E5O_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358780272&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQDmdBeWgJ4E0JNnLn-G4e525mzKmxVZSt1pCALZ_WyLSI4HJqy" /></a></div>
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Sherman’s troops burned it the first time. Now a serial arsonist threatens a small South Carolina town and private investigator Quint Mitchell is caught in the backdraft. When Quint follows the “Heartthrob Bandit” to the hamlet of Allendale, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ugly cultural war between an ultraconservative minister and the scientist who may have discovered proof of the oldest humans ever found in North America<br />
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Author: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Francis/e/B00A7R3E5O" target="_blank">Parker Francis</a><br />
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A good mystery story with engaging characters, a detailed plot, and just enough twists and curves to keep it interesting without being confusing. The author's descriptions of people and places really bring the story to life and drop the reader into the middle of the action. I have not read the first book in this series but that did not matter - I was able to follow the story without any trouble. <br />
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Spoilers - This is a mystery story with all the aggression, sex, and blood that is expected from the genre. Nothing over the top, but recommended for adults.ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709109308642247329.post-17094414044529681412013-01-15T16:29:00.002-08:002013-01-15T16:45:19.559-08:00Lessons Learned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333574942l/13578440.jpg" width="213" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Learned-Appalachian-Collection-ebook/dp/B0096J6PHI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1358295473&sr=1-1&keywords=Lessons+Learned+%28The+Appalachian+Heart+Collection%29" target="_blank">Lessons Learned</a><br />
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English teacher Sarah Bray never thought she’d return to Sycamore Falls, but a traumatic event at her inner-city school leaves her desperate for the sanctuary of home. By returning to her roots, an older and wiser Sarah hopes to deal with the demons of her present and confront the ghosts of her past. She discovers a kindred spirit in Lucas Miller, a teacher from New York with demons of his own. They quickly become friends—bonding through Lucas’s culture shock and their mutual desire to build new lives. When they open their wounded hearts to each other, their friendship effortlessly evolves into romance. Their love is put to the test when Matt, the quarterback of the football team, shares his deepest secret with Sarah. When the conservative community finds out, Sarah and Lucas—along with the town of Sycamore Falls—are schooled in the lessons of acceptance, tolerance, and love.<br />
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Author: <a href="http://www.sydneylogan.com/" target="_blank">Sydney Logan</a><br />
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The imagery in this book is gorgeous. I can see the house and the mountains and the town of Sycamore Falls - and all the people in it. The love story between Sarah and Lucas is touching and sweet and is a union of equals rather than one person constantly "rescuing" their partner. The story about Matt is heartbreakingly honest and deals with cultural, social, and moral issues with a delicate yet unflinching hand. Well written!<br />
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Spoilers: This is Sarah and Lucas's love story; there is sex in it, but it is not graphically detailed. The core issue of this story is homosexuality and the process of coming out that an adolescent boy experiences in a conservative and homophobic community. There is also some violence, although most of it happens "off screen." </div>
ElizabethBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389885668418298634noreply@blogger.com0